On the 17th of December 2021, a press release went out announcing that there will be changes to the National Disability Insurance Agency Board (NDIA) members, including the addition of two people with disability.

Commencing on the 1st of January 2022, four new members will be joining the NDIA board - Ms Leah van Poppel, Dr Peta Seaton AM, Ms Meredith Allan and Dr Denis Napthine.

Minister Reynolds said, “Importantly, two new appointments to the NDIA Board are people with disability which will ensure that the leadership of the Board has direct representation of lived experience.”

“I congratulate and welcome the new Board members. Their wealth of experience across the public and private sectors, as well as their demonstrated commitment to, and advocacy for, people with disability, will strengthen the Board’s leadership of the NDIS,” Minister Reynolds said.

Of the remaining current Members, Professor Jane Burns, Ms Estelle Pearson, Ms Sandra Birkensleigh, and Mr Glenn Keys AO have all been reappointed to the Board.

Chair, Dr Helen Nugent AO, and Board member Ms Robyn Kruk AO will step down on 31 December 2021, when their current terms expire. Both have served two terms, having been appointed to the Board on 1 January 2017.

Current Board member, Mr James Minto will serve as acting Chair until a permanent appointment is made. Mr Minto was first appointed to the Board on 1 January 2017 and has served two terms. His second term has been extended to 30 June 2023.

Having better disability representation on the NDIA board is definitely a step in the right direction for the NDIA, and hopefully this trajectory continues to bring positive outcomes for the disability community in 2022.

For the full press release on the changes to the NDIA board, you can visit www.ndis.gov.au/news/7247-changes-ndia-board